Jump to content

Jeff Tweedy — 12/18/13, Los Angeles, CA (Largo at the Coronet Theatre) [Night 3]

bböp

By bböp,
in After The Show

 Share Followers 2

Recommended Posts

bböp

bböp

Posted
Posted

Will this be henceforth known as "The Night of Lotti?" Certainly this was a show that will be remembered for its banter as much as its music; as Jeff himself remarked toward the end of the evening, "If you came tonight wanting to hear more music than talking, I'm sorry." The best way to put it, I guess, is that Jeff was in a mood — and he was in a mood to talk, probably as much or more than actually playing his own songs. And when Jeff gets in a mood to talk, look out.

 

Thus we got a full-on dramatic reading of a "fan letter" from our own beloved Lotti. I don't know if it was actually posted on VC or sent under separate cover, but it was a pretty brilliant missive about Wilco's cover of ABBA's "Waterloo" at this year's Solid Sound Festival that Jeff brought to life in his own particular, hilarious way. He said that Lotti's numerous postings had "brought a lot of joy to his life" and that he was "a comic genius." Way to go, Herr Lotti! :thumbup

 

But that was far from the only extended banter we got over the course of the show, which featured just 19 actual songs (and we were probably lucky to get that many because Jeff threatened to bail out on at least a couple of them before finally relenting).

 

Among the gems:

 

*Early on, Jeff set a tone for the night by flubbing his first couple of attempts at Far, Far Away and subsequently saying that "all my shows are uniformly OK. You're not gonna get a lot and you're not gonna get nothing, kind of like a Hanukkah present."

 

*Jeff talked about how this was going to be a "deep cut" set and that's what happens when you have no hit songs. When someone yelled out, "California Stars," he got an incredulous look on his face and said, "Do you know what a hit song is? That's not a hit song; that's a song that people have liked over many, many years." Then he went into a extended digression about Beyoncé's new record and how it sold a million copies in a week and pondered how many she would have sold in 1985 "when people actually bought records." Referring to the estimate of a million records sold, Jeff continued by saying, "I smell a rat." But then he asked, "Has anyone heard it? How is it?" When someone yelled out that they had and it was OK, Jeff said it sounded like he was "going through puberty" and that the guy's reply to the puberty comment "sounded like fear."

 

*A long, rambling rant about the Grammys that actually ended up closing the main set. It was spurred by someone's congratulations on Jeff's recent Grammy nomination for producer of the year. Jeff proceeded to ask whether (fellow producing nominee) Dr. Luke was a real person and said he hated the Grammys and wasn't going because last time he went P. Diddy thought he was a guy passing out programs and someone else hurried him along because they thought he was a seat filler. He also commented on how the photographers on the red carpet basically ignored him and his bandmates. In addition, Jeff also talked about Dave Grohl ("the mayor of rock 'n' roll...how did that happen?") always beating him out at the Grammys and how Jeff's kids told him he might actually win this time because Grohl wasn't nominated in his category. Jeff also told a funny story about how he didn't even cast his own Grammy ballot, saying it was "how dumb I am" about the nomination process.

 

*Jeff also talked about how he thought everyone in the audience was a celebrity and how he hated celebrities. But then he also said, "If you do have a (Grammy) vote, vote for me. I'm not above asking for" votes.

 

*To start the encore, Jeff joked that he didn't even need a guitar and that his guitar tech should just bring him a joke idea. Then he pondered, "Why don't standups (comics) have a joke tech?" and suggested that the hypothetical tech could whisper that the comic should, for example, "talk about your mother-in-law."

 

This is by no means an exhaustive list of everything Jeff said tonight, just what I jotted down. Hopefully some other folks will help fill in some of the gaps.

 

As for the music, as I mentioned, Jeff didn't seem especially eager to play songs. But when he did, he played well. He suggested that he might have overextended himself by trying to do a third consecutive show with no repeated songs, but generally overcame his hesitations/struggles on songs like Far, Far Away and I'll Fight and turned in flawless renditions of rarer cuts like Shakin' Sugar, Blasting Fonda and Gun.

 

The performance of Hate It Here was also unique, beginning with the guitar strummed in an almost jazzy, lounge-y sort of way before turning into a bizarro spoken word thing and ending before the coda.

 

Several songs were also cut from the printed setlist, including When The Roses Bloom Again, Sky Blue Sky, Bob Dylan's 49th Beard and Box Full Of Letters. And Passenger Side was in the "swapout box" but not played (along with the notation "B.D. Version," which is believed to refer to Bob Dylan in terms of a particular guitar tuning that's used; I'm not a guitar expert, though, so I can't provide any more detail here.).

 

Ultimately, Jeff just seemed to be tremendously comfortable within the intimate Largo setting. Perhaps because there was no photography or recording allowed (or even singing along, as alluded to by Largo's house manager), Jeff might have felt the freedom to say and do things he might not otherwise. The crowd, which last night included Rainn Wilson, Tim Heidecker and Jimmy Vivino, was largely content to let him follow his mood. And that certainly made for yet another memorable evening on this very unique four-night stand.

 

Here was the complete setlist, as played, for Night 3:

 

Solitaire

Far, Far Away (started and restarted twice)

One Wing

How To Fight Loneliness

One Sunday Morning

Shakin' Sugar (aka Alone)

Blasting Fonda

In A Future Age

Kamera

I'll Fight (started and restarted twice)

Open Mind

Forget The Flowers

You Are Not Alone

Gun

Hate It Here

-------------------------------------

I Might

—Reading of Lotti "fan letter"—

Theologians

Spiders (Kidsmoke)

Acuff-Rose (performed at edge of stage w/o PA system)

Link to post
Share on other sites
yarbles

yarbles

Posted
Posted

That Lotti fan mail reading was one of the most bizarre/epic/hilarious/entertaining things i've ever heard.  If Jeff wants to release another book of poetry, just publish those emails.  I'd buy 3 copies like that.

 

 

Such a great night, the setlist was excellent, and Jeff was in a very talkative and joking mood, which was great.  His version of "I Hate It Here" was just awesome/hilarious.  :)

Link to post
Share on other sites
kidsmoke

kidsmoke

Posted
Posted

I was contacted recently by Lotti, who asked if I could get a letter and some Swedish goodies To Jeff Tweedy and his family. I was happy to help, and now that Jeff has shared Lotti's letter to him, I will post it here for those of you unlucky enough to have missed tonight's dramatic reading. It really is a beautiful and extraordinary fan letter.

 

Here it is in its entirety:

 

To Mr Jeff Tweedy and Lady Wilco and childs and not forget Uncle Twopillow,

 

I send little token of affliction for noble Abba tribute deed at Mass Mocking event. We have result of whipping round from all in village and make basket of best Swedish goodies for you and familiar as way of thanks. All in tins and etcetera bundle is in obvious mode not so healthy nosh as the fresh from icehole and wild forest nature, but when special package must make long journey you do not want stinky family reputation of the squidg and blood drip with postman. With this package we hope househeld do not make the resort to chew the chilly dog this year. To Swedish mind this is extreme of barbarous kind for sure, almost to Danish point. You never know when faithful husky will save life - you cannot treat them this way Mr Jeff Tweedy! Believe!

 

Mr Jeff Tweedy, it is small shame that you did not fill the role of double female throat, perhaps with Mr Pat in assistance (though there is way to achieve lofty notes - send PM for pics!), but Lucius ladies make a fierce decent substitute in this respect and also they bring the sequin to plug your shortage. Please give them best wishes and congratulate on finding the Abba in their lives. This is view of all except for Professor from Stockholm, who say he has preference to see Mr Pat make camel toe attempt one day in Abba slinky style of stretched ski pantings. If I can be a little bold one to suggest improvement, please increase personal glittering or have cape usage boost. Cape with silver fringer is best. Sparkle in solo performance with mic twirl and leg kick for full effect will be transformation with guarantee of pop chart consequence. Believe! I enclose bag of the necessary, but beware of explosion!

 

I make a mind cast back to Waterloo performance just this minute and get the bumpy goose, and indeed that was true repeating of great historic times, as in book on shelf as Mr Benny and Mr Bjorn phrase say! Do you have the date in cullender for special Eurovision anniversary next year? I have special boots on order for party day celebration in village. I can send a linking for the pics if you also desire to make order. Now is best time for clubbing as source of seal cub fur. When you have a hot iron then it is time to make a strike, as we say in Sweden.

 

So, to all in familiar we wish seasonal rest and the jovial. Here it is special time to be curled up in front of fire with Christmas edition of Love Boat as TV highlight! It always has special fashion tips.

Keep love of the Abba close to heart Mr Jeff Tweedy. This is passion by which to live life for sure! But you already have this wisdom Ha Ha!

 

From Lotti (and Olsen to lesser extent as he has some jealousy until soothed by the schnapps) and all in village.

Welfare!

 

P.S. Please to stay away from Danish on next Euro tour. They are not deserving! (unless you repeat Waterloo performance to make a rub of their noses in this Swedish triumphant!)

P.P.S. Pine tree delivery is delayed by necessity. Please r.s.v.p. with size of garden so Olsen can judge size for chopping. Then expect!

Link to post
Share on other sites
Lotti

Lotti

Posted
Posted

Way to go, Herr Lotti! :thumbup

Friend, I am full of the happy for your reporting and from tone I sense you are also of the Abba? I make small correction to reporting. I am lady man! Believe! I send PM with pic from sauna as way of proof (please delete after time for the secret perusal).

It is in season spirit that Mr Jeff Tweedy is poking me in a funny way, but shared Abba bond is strong to cope with such downs and ups. I am not offensive at this fierce bantering. He is fine fellow for sure despite not of standard as Mr Benny and Mr Bjorn in hairstyle preparation.

Progress for second delivery is started. Olsen is making chopper swing this very minute. I am required!

Welfare!

P.S. Any tapirs?

P.P.S. In case of confusion, third hand in sauna pic is Olsen. Or perhaps Viktor from fish tackling shop. I forget details of this event.

Link to post
Share on other sites
Magnetized

Magnetized

Posted
Posted

Even though I'm not there, I'm having anticipatory sadness for when this spectacular run of shows is over. I'm so happy I got to see the ones I did and yet still ridicuously jealous for you lucky people seeing the Largo shows. But mainly--boo hoo hoo--they're almost over!! :upset

 

Jeff has definitely earned himself a nice restful holiday.

Link to post
Share on other sites
linclink

linclink

Posted
Posted

Gotta just mention that I loved reading this thread. Anything involving Lotti always bring a smile to my face & often even causes laughing out loud. Thanks!

Link to post
Share on other sites
Magnetized

Magnetized

Posted
Posted

For those who would like to hear this show, it's now streaming at http://sooutoftune.org/concerts/1191. I was curious to hear how Jeff read Lotti's message--whether he would attempt a Swedish accent.

 

I'm glad that at least one of these shows was taped. Even though we couldn't all be there, the great quality of the recording along with the detailed descriptions of the shows gives those of us who couldn't be there a pretty good idea of the tone of these special shows. 

 

 

Link to post
Share on other sites
bböp

bböp

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Wasn't my intention. Much props to bböp for the reports, they were great reading

Thanks, man (and to everyone) for the kind words regarding my postshow ramblings. They weren't perfect, but at least they were pretty timely! Haha.

 

Re: a recording, I guess I shouldn't be surprised that at least one person was toeing the Largo line and stealthing. I mean, better that more people can listen I suppose but a ) I'm surprised that someone could get away with it in that room without setting off alarms with at least some lights or something and b ) I'm sure performers like Jeff pretty much expect every performance they do these days to possibly be recorded and act accordingly but part of me can't help feeling like it was at least a small violation of the Largo ethos.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
 Share
Followers 2
Go to topic listing
×
×
  • Create New...